Fox News, MSNBC dominate cable news in second quarter, Cuomo now top-rated CNN host

Fox News and MSNBC enjoyed solid ratings for 2018’s second quarter, dominating the ratings for the months of April, May and June.

Sean Hannity and Rachel Maddow once again finished No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in the cable news ratings race, according to Nielsen Media Research, while Chris Cuomo’s CNN prime-time debut led to him being the most viewed host for the network.

{mosads}Hannity’s program continued to be the most-watched in cable news, averaging 3.37 million total viewers per night. The conservative Hannity also led the way in the 25–54 age demographic that advertisers covet most, bringing in an average of 685,000 viewers in that category.

MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow was the second highest rated host, with an average 2.75 million total viewers and 559,000 in the 25–54 demographic. Fox New’s Tucker Carlson came in third in total viewers with 2.7 million, followed by Fox’s Laura Ingraham, with 2.65 million viewers, and MSNBC’s Lawrence O’Donnell, with 2.1 million viewers.

Overall in prime time, Fox averaged 2.45 million viewers and 480,000 in the 25–54 demographic. MSNBC took second, with 1.74 million viewers and 346,000 in the prized demographic, and CNN finished third, with an average of 929,000 viewers per night and 302,000 viewers in the 25–54 demographic.

Cuomo clocked in as the network’s highest-rated host after his show debuted June 4, finishing 25th in total viewers with 1.04 million per night. “Cuomo Prime Time” is the only CNN program to average more than one million viewers. 

On the business channel front, Fox Business’s Lou Dobbs was the most-watched cable news show in the second quarter, averaging 320,000 total viewers per night. The win marks the 10th consecutive quarter Dobbs has finished first in the business channel ratings race. 

“Jay Leno’s Garage” delivered the most viewers for CNBC, averaging 297,000 viewers. 

Overall, Fox Business averaged 203,000 total viewers for the quarter, topping CNBC’s 165,000. 

CNBC edged Fox Business in the 25–54 demographic, however, registering 31,000 viewers to FBN’s 25,000.